Top tips for building a social media following

Social media is crucial when it comes to your online presence! It's a great way to build a genuine following and loyal customers.

See my previous article on how to build a killer social media strategy, but here are my top tips on growing your audience!

Use the right hashtags

Use websites like Webstagram to research popular hashtags, but remember that this should just be a starting point. You need to go beyond popular hashtags and look for relevant tags.

Use actionable hashtags

Get a hashtag that your followers can use every time they engage with your brand. This increases brand awareness and brand engagement and can be a great way for you to see what your clients are up to - and use this information.

Post at the right time of day

There are a bunch of tools online that can track when your users are engaged. But it also takes a bit of common sense.

Missing your market due to bad timing is a waste of a great post.

Run a contest

Offer an incentive that followers just can't resist! Get clients to post images of themselves using your products, or tag a friend who would benefit from your services.

Great content

Seems obvious, but get creative! Giving away great content is the best way to engage with new followers. Create something share-worthy.

Join a group

Become an active member of a Facebook group that will attract people to your page and position yourself as an expert in your field.

Connect your accounts

Cross-promote your platforms by encouraging followers to check out your brand on Twitter or Instagram - whichever platforms you're most active in.

Using social media to build an audience and engage with prospects does require a heap of knowledge and work, but it's worth it.

Authenticity, accessibility and transparency are super important. Create a sense of community around shared values and issues, but remember to keep it light and compelling. Use great visuals and timely commentary.

Be aware of breaking news and current affairs, and use this to your advantage. Increasing your digital footprint through social media is critical, but the more techniques you use, the more effective your efforts will be.